Method of making a package

ABSTRACT

A blank construction for making packages which contain a plurality of articles. The blank comprises a flat, paperboard base member and a sheet of heat shrinkable film secured to one surface of the base member. In accordance with the method of forming the blank, air is blown between the shrinkable film and the base member to provide a sufficiently large opening to permit the lateral insertion of groups of articles. The apparatus includes parallel feeding conveyors whereby packages may be formed continuously with cam means being provided to impart the lateral movement to the groups of articles. After the articles are in place, the heat shrinkable film is shrunk over the tops of the articles as they pass through a shrink tunnel which may be mounted on the conveyor which feeds the blanks.



1. A method of making a package for a plurality of articles from a blank comprising a paperboard base member and a sheet of heat shrinkable film overlaying said base member, said base member being provided with front, rear and a pair of end sidewall panels having flap panels at the ends thereof and having said sheet of heat shrinkable film secured to the upper surface of said base member substantially along the length of said end sidewall panels and flap panels, said method comprising the steps of a. partially erecting said base member by folding said end sidewall panels to an erected position, b. maintaining said partially erected position of said base member by blowing air between said heat shrinkable film and said base member to provide a sufficiently large opening to admit groups of said articles and while feeding a plurality of said blanks forwardly along a first path, c. directing a group of said articles laterally with respect to the forward direction of said blanks through the opening of one of said blanks, d. folding said flap panels having said film secured thereto inwardly over said base member, e. folding one of said front and rear panels upwardly to cover said flat panels and sealing it thereto, f. and heat shrinking said heat shrinkable film over the top and down a portion of the sides of said group of articles after they have been completely inserted between said heat shrinkable film and said base member. 